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This blog is an archive for communications related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For student, faculty, and staff information please visit our official website.

Latest Updates

  • Dr. Turner Updates Faculty and Staff on Options for Working Families With Children in School
    Dear SMU staff, We understand the difficult choices that parents face during these uncertain times – in particular as you attempt both to care for your children and fulfill your professional responsibilities. We want to support you in addressing the challenge of providing child care when schools are closed or operating only online because of […]
  • No cost rapid COVID-19 testing for SMU employees
    No cost test with same day results available at nine DFW locations SMU is now offering a fast and convenient option for COVID-19 testing with same day results for employees and their families. The University will cover 100 percent of the cost, and no insurance paperwork is needed for those who have SMU health benefits. […]
  • Flexible work arrangements for SMU faculty and staff
    Dear SMU Community, It cannot be said too often that the health and well-being of our faculty and staff are of vital importance to me and to the University we serve. We value your work, your sense of mission, and the individual talents you bring to the table. As we complete the first cycle of […]
  • New Air Filter System, Cleaning Protocols, Among Enhancements to Keep Campus Healthy
    SMU Air Quality Improvement Strategy SMU Facilities Planning and Management is upgrading all air filters in air handler units across campus, as a strategy to improve air quality in all University buildings. All air filters will be updated from the current MERV 10 level to the highest rated filtration level effective for SMU’s air handler […]
  • UPDATE: SMU Requires Face Coverings in All Public Spaces for Fall 2020 Semester
    Faculty authorized to require students to wear face coverings in fall classrooms SMU is requiring that everyone on the SMU campus wear a face covering over the mouth and nose in all public indoor spaces. This requirement includes classrooms; building entrances and exits; lobbies and lounges; as well as in hallways, stairwells, restrooms and elevators and also […]
  • Message to campus on confirmed COVID-19 cases
    Dear SMU Community, Last spring, SMU sent an emergency notification to all students, faculty and staff about the first confirmed COVID-19 cases involving our campus community. This was an important step in informing our campus about this rapidly evolving situation. As we begin to identify additional cases, we wanted to be sure the campus community […]
  • Fall 2020: The Big Picture
    Dear SMU students, parents, faculty and staff, Those of us who have been planning for our students’ return to campus are pleased to share with you the road map for our fall semester on the Hilltop. While you can expect more communications on a variety of topics as we work through the summer months, this […]
  • President Turner previews SMU fall semester
    Dear SMU Community, Preparing for the return of our students during the pandemic will require creativity, commitment and cooperation. Our plans for reopening the campus to students in the fall for student instruction, campus life and community programs are progressing well, and I am especially looking forward to welcoming our students back to our Dallas […]
  • SMU Employees: What to expect when you get back
    Dear SMU faculty and staff, You have received quite a few messages from me over the past few months, but this is one I have been eager to deliver: I am delighted to welcome our full University workforce back to campus on Monday, June 1. I know how hard you have worked from home, and […]
  • Message from Faculty Senate President and Past-President
    Dear colleagues, President Turner is preparing to update the SMU community on Monday June 1 about our planning for the fall semester. We expect it to include information such as modality for course delivery, any adjustments to the academic calendar, initial plans for residential and dining facilities, enhanced cleaning of high-traffic areas, testing capabilities and […]
  • SMU keeps going volume 6
    Dear Faculty, Staff and Students, In spite of the rain, I hope you saw on Saturday the lights on Reunion Tower spell out SMU in honor of our 2020 graduates. Now it’s time to look to the fall as we welcome back those who started working on campus this week! I have enjoyed seeing more […]
  • SMU employees: Welcome back to campus
    Dear SMU faculty and staff, We are looking forward to your return to the Hilltop. You have demonstrated flexibility, creativity and remarkable good humor in keeping the University on course during these trying times, and those traits will serve us well as we return to campus and prepare to welcome our students back. Some of […]
  • On-campus and online classes to be held for Summer Session II
    May 15, 2020 Dear Students, Faculty and Staff: SMU, including its campus in Taos, is expecting to offer a combination of in-person and online classes for Summer Session II, commonly referred to as July term. We will continue to monitor and adjust as evolving guidelines emerge from Dallas County and the Texas governor. You may […]
  • SMU keeps going volume 5
    Dear SMU Faculty, Staff and Students, Congratulations to the 2,634 graduating students who will receive their SMU degrees on Saturday, May 16. Here we go Mustangs is just one small way we honor our graduating students’ accomplishments. Also, keep your eyes on the Dallas skyline this Saturday night when Reunion Tower will light up with a special […]
  • SMU keeps going volume 4
    Dear SMU Faculty, Staff and Students, Spring is the time we honor our students for outstanding academic, leadership and service achievements. In spite of distance, students have been initiated into honor societies, recognized for their research and honored for their contributions to the community. The work of the University continues, as evidenced by these fruits […]
  • SMU keeps going volume 3
    Dear SMU Faculty, Staff and Students,After six weeks of online classes and stay-at-home orders, I continue to be proud of the many ways the SMU community is demonstrating innovation amid dramatic changes brought by COVID-19. By now you may have seen our plans to continue to have a majority of campus employees remain working from home […]
  • We intend to be open in fall 2020
    Dear SMU Community, It’s time to look to the future. I am pleased to announce that SMU intends to safely open our University for on-campus teaching, learning and student living for the fall semester. We are looking forward to delivering the unique academic experience that defines SMU, and to rekindling the energy our students bring […]
  • President’s Task Force for a Healthy Opening Fall 2020
    SMU is committed to reopening the campus as quickly as possible, while protecting the health of our University community and allowing for safe learning, working, living and socializing. To that end, SMU must have data-informed policies and procedures in place as early as midsummer that leverage the best available testing and/or screening for COVID-19, along […]
  • SMU adapts to challenges created by COVID-19
    Dear Campus Community, Anyone walking across our beautiful campus is struck by how quiet it is. What is not visible is the increased activity behind the scenes as we work to educate our students online while adapting to the serious challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the country, many families and individuals are facing […]
  • A message from R. Gerald Turner to alumni and friends
    Dear Mustang Family: The global spread of COVID-19 is affecting all of us – the way we learn, live, work and play. I wanted to update you on how we continue to approach this situation at SMU.  First, we hope that you and your families remain safe and healthy. Our hearts go out to those […]
  • SMU keeps going – volume 2
    Dear SMU Faculty, Staff and Students, Thank you again for working so hard to maintain SMU’s vibrancy and operations during this unique time. Members of our SMU community continue to show creativity and innovation in their teaching, learning and working as we face the challenges of COVID-19. In addition to making the most of online […]
  • Credit adjustments for housing, dining and parking
    Dear student, We miss you and the buzz of activity you bring to our beautiful campus. I hope you and your family are staying healthy and your studies are going well during this time. The resilience and flexibility you are showing during the COVID-19 pandemic reflect the strength and character of our student body. Thank […]
  • SMU keeps going – volume 1
    Dear SMU Community, Thank you for your flexibility, patience and commitment to the mission of SMU during this time. This is the first of regular updates to help connect the SMU community in a time of social distancing. I hope everyone has seen the recent announcements: the postponement of Commencement ceremonies to August 15, a […]
  • SMU May and June classes move online
    Dear Faculty, Students, and Staff: As the continuation of health and travel restrictions related to COVID-19 remains uncertain for the coming months, SMU has decided to move May and June term classes online. Enrollment for May and June classes for current SMU students opens Monday, April 13, and the priority enrollment deadline is Friday, April […]
  • SMU Alert: An important message regarding a COVID-19 case.
    SMU Alert: COVID-19 April 2, 2020 SMU has been notified that an employee of the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center on the University campus has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee was tested Tuesday, April 1, received the positive results today, April 2, and will self-isolate for the next two weeks. The potential for contact […]
  • Announcing new date for SMU Commencement 2020
      Please watch this message from Dr. Turner announcing a postponement of SMU’s spring commencement to Saturday, August 15, 2020. Although the ceremony date is moving, you will still receive your degree on May 16th. Transcripts with your degree will be available in early June and your diploma will be mailed to you.
  • Letter to Undergraduate Students on Spring 2020 Temporary Grading Policy
    Dear SMU Undergraduate Students: I hope you are adjusting to your studies online in response to efforts to keep our campus community as safe as possible during the COVID outbreak. We received many emails and calls from you requesting that we modify our grading policies because of this unusual semester. After carefully consulting with faculty, […]
  • COVID-19 update from the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center
    Hello Mustangs,  We understand that this is a very stressful and confusing time. Please know that our staff here at the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center are still here working hard to support both your physical and mental well-being. We will remain OPEN Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to provide care for students both […]
  • Three SMU students positive for COVID-19: All tested during Spring Break, none currently on campus
    Dear SMU Community, Because we are committed to doing all that we can to help keep our University population healthy, we are sharing information that three of our students, none currently on campus, have tested positive for COVID-19. All three students were tested after leaving campus for Spring Break. The first student, a graduate student […]
  • A message from R. Gerald Turner to alumni and friends
    Dear Mustang Family: We hope that you, your family, and your loved ones remain safe and healthy during this unprecedented time. Responding to the rapid and relentless expansion of COVID-19 has challenged us all. As I see our faculty and staff prepare for this first full week of online instruction and remote working, I am […]
  • SMU suspends all University–sponsored and/or sanctioned international travel
    Please note latest updates reflect more flexible travel guidelines. Following federal and local guidelines recommended to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), SMU is suspending all university-sponsored and/or sanctioned international travel. Students (undergraduates and graduate students) as well as faculty and staff members currently studying or working abroad are requested to return to the […]
  • Research continuity update
    Dear Colleagues, As SMU takes precautions to respond to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), I’d like to offer additional information on how to continue our academic work and protect our research during this unusual period. The move to online instruction for the two weeks after Spring Break and other cautionary actions announced in Dr. Turner’s March 12 […]